Keeneland Changes Format for Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training

Keeneland has changed the format for its sale of 2-year-olds in training and moved it to earlier in April. The 2008 edition of the auction will have one preview show April 7, instead of the two shows in previous years, and the sale will be conducted earlier in the month during two evening sessions (April 8 and 9) instead of on one day.

“The dynamics of two-year-old sales have changed, and this move is in response to industry buyers and consignors who have indicated their preference for a one-day preview show,” said Geoffrey Russell, Keeneland’s director of sales. “Having a Polytrack racing surface, we are confident we can hold a single preview show the day before the sale regardless of the weather.”

The change will move the April sale forward on Keeneland’s spring race meet calendar to the week of the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I).

“So many horsemen are here that week for the Ashland Stakes (gr. I, April 5) and Toyota Blue Grass (April 12), that it’s a perfect fit,” Russell continued. “The two-evening sale format will give buyers more time to view the preview day videos and evaluate the horses.”

Fasig-Tipton earlier became the first sale company to reduce its number of under tack shows from two to one for a major juvenile auction. There will be only one under tack show for the company's Florida select sale at Calder Race Course next year.